VILLAGERS are determined to save a woodland which means a "lot" to them.

A strip of Broad Hey Wood in Summerseat is due to go under the hammer in September and be auctioned off. And villagers are even considering putting in their own bid.

The woodland in question, belonging to the Inland Revenue, runs alongside Robin Road and residents are worried property developers will cash in and destroy an area of natural beauty.

Planning bosses insist the land cannot be developed and there will be restrictions on what can be done there.

But neighbours say they have already noticed "suspicious activity" taking place at the site which they claim is protected.

Mrs Roz Kaufman said: "We have seen a number of people in hard hats, which we presume are builders, visiting the site."

She said residents had approached a number of bodies and received the backing of Bury's Environmental Forum and Ramsbottom Heritage Society.

"We have spoken to the council and other bodies and understand the land is protected on a number of grounds. We have been told it is a green corridor and a site of biological importance. There are deer roaming there and it is home to bats, which are protected."

She added: "What we are frightened of is that someone will work on the land without permission and destroy the area because then it is too late and there will be nothing left to protect."

Residents are hoping that they can raise enough money between them and protect the land for years to come.

"But if the bidding involves silly amounts then, of course, we will not be able to compete. We have even approached Bury Council to buy the land to keep it as it is."

Planning officer, Mr Nick Grimshaw confirmed the site up for auction is a wildlife corridor and part of it is a site of biological importance. The low starting price of the land reflected that it could not be developed on.